What are the characteristics of short southern Christmas stories?

Southern short stories usually have a strong sense of place. The southern landscape, from the plantations to the small towns, becomes an important part of the story. It can set the mood and influence the characters' actions. They also tend to have richly drawn characters with their own idiosyncrasies, often influenced by the southern culture and its values like hospitality and propriety.

The southern literature short stories are often marked by their rich use of dialect. It gives a sense of authenticity to the characters and the setting. Also, they tend to have a slow - paced narrative that allows for in - depth exploration of emotions and relationships. Many of these stories deal with the legacy of the Civil War, whether it's the economic aftermath or the social hierarchies that still lingered long after the war ended.

They often have a decaying or isolated southern setting, like an old plantation or a small, run - down town. This creates a sense of foreboding.

The stories in 'Best Southern Short Stories' typically feature themes like family heritage and the passage of time. The characters are influenced by the long - standing traditions of the South. There's often a touch of nostalgia, as if the authors are looking back at a bygone era with a mix of fondness and melancholy. And the use of local folklore and superstitions makes them really interesting.

One popular short southern Christmas story is 'A Christmas Memory' by Truman Capote. It beautifully depicts the simple joys of Christmas in the South through the eyes of a young boy and his older cousin. They make fruitcakes and cut down a Christmas tree together, showing the warmth and charm of southern Christmas traditions.

Southern gothic short stories typically have a sense of foreboding. The atmosphere is often gloomy. The characters can be outcasts or misfits in their communities. For example, a character might be a hermit living on the outskirts of a small southern town. There's also a lot of focus on family secrets and the past that haunts the present. These stories might deal with themes like incest or long - held grudges within families.

One southern Christmas story could be about a family in the deep South who every year makes a special pecan pie for Christmas using pecans from their own orchard. It has become a beloved tradition passed down through generations.

Short bedtime Christmas stories are full of magic. They transport kids to a world where anything can happen at Christmas. There are talking animals, like the reindeer in many stories. They also focus on family and togetherness. A story might be about a family coming together to decorate the Christmas tree. This emphasizes the importance of family during the Christmas season and gives kids a sense of security and happiness, which is ideal for bedtime.

They usually have vivid descriptions that can make the reader feel the Christmas atmosphere. Like in 'The Little Match Girl', the cold of the Christmas Eve and the warm visions she has are well - described, which helps to set the mood. Also, they can be easily related to the readers' own experiences or feelings during Christmas time. Many people can relate to the idea of giving and receiving in 'The Gift of the Magi'.

The best Christmas short stories often have a strong sense of warmth. They usually involve themes of family, love, and giving. For example, in 'A Christmas Carol', the transformation of Scrooge is centered around his rediscovering the importance of these values. Another characteristic is the use of Christmas - related settings like snow - covered streets, warm hearths, and decorated Christmas trees to create a festive atmosphere.